Roger, you’re bemused by Christopher Buckley’s apostasy, yet you unwittingly reveal the cause by remarking on “his continuing connection with the center of elite conservative opinion”, “elite” here being of the essence. Sarah Palin has proved to be the catalyst that has separated the snobs who just happen to be Conservatives from the Conservatives who just happen to be snobs. “Christo” is of the first type, you, God bless your Tory soul, belong most decidedly to the second. If Obama is elected just watch Mr. Buckley’s whiggery burgeon!

‘Buckley’ from the Irish ‘Ó Buachalla’ = ‘grandson [i.e. descendant] of the cowherder’.

He has come a long way from Tipperary, indeed ‘n he has!